Building material.



PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908.

J. G. PITZSIMMONS & J. V. OHOWN.

SPBUIMENB.

W'I TNESSES:

BUILDiNG MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY '7. 1907.

A TTORNE Y PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES FITZSIMMONS AND JAMES V. GHOWN, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

BUILDING Application filed May 7 1907.

Specification of Letters Patent.

MATERIAL.

Patented June 16, 190s.

Serial No. 372,345. (Specimens) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES C. FITZsIM atom and JAMES V. CHowN, citizens of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Building Materials, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved article of manufacture, for use in building construction. Its object is to provide a cheap, practical, fireproof slab, brick or building block, which shall be very light, which shall have a surface suitable for receiving afinishing coat of plaster, or the like,which is especially applicable for molding into a plaster-board, and which can be nailed on to the studding like an ordinary board.

The figure is illustrative of one form of the invention.

In carrying out the'invention we employ diatomaceous earth, lime, and sawdust, and may or may not embed a metal reinforce in the article made from this mixture.

Preferably a large percentage of diatomaceous earth is used, varying from 70% to 80%, more or less, according to conditions. To this is added from 5% to 10%, more or less of lime, calcined, to form a binder and from 20 to 25% more or less of a granular, fibrous material, such as sawdust for instance to give a suitable roughened surface to the finished product without increasing the weight.

A favorite formula is as follows:

Diatomaceous earth 75% Lime 5% and Sawdust (preferably coarse) 20% bricks or blocks, and dried slowly in thc air.

When thoroughly dried the articles made from the foregoing mixture are ready for use.

/rnixed into a paste to coat the such as plaster boards, slabs, tiles,-

The form in which we have turned the product out heretofore has principally been that of a plaster-board as A, having the appearance of an ordinary board, which can be nailed direct on to the studding and then plastered over to give the smooth finishing like.

If it were not for the sawdust or equivalent employed, the board would have such a smooth and slippery surface that it would be difficult to make it take a finishing coat of material without further treatment.

When these boards are molded and while still in a soft, plastic condition, they are suitably perforated as shown in the figure at 2, for the purpose of allowing nails to be driven through them into the studding without danger of breaking or injuring the board.

If desired the strength of the board can .be materially increased by embedding a suit- 3. These boards when dried are extremely light in weight and it has been found that they will withstand a very hi 'h degree of temperature; also it is-found t at they are practically impervious to heat or cold or sound.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.

1.. A bination of approximately 75% of diatoms.- ceous earth, 5% of lime and 20% of sawdust, armies of fiber, and molded into any desire shape.

.7 5% of diatomaceous earth, 5% of lime and 20% of sawdust mixed with water, shaped jnto board form anddried at ordinary temperatures, and having holes punched through it so it can be nailed to the wall or to studding, said board having a roughened surface. In testimony whereof we' have hereunto witnesses. V A

'J MES C. FITZSIMMONS. '7 AMES V. CI-IOWN. Witnesses:

S. H. Nounsn, JESSIE C. Bnonm.

set our hands inIprese'nce of two-subscribing surface without the use of any lathing or the v able wire mesh or metal reinforce as shown at building material consisting in com 2. A plaster-board made of approxlmately I 

